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War's  End 


A  Play  in  One  Act 


"By 
HENRY  A.  COIT 


CLYDE  BROWNE  COMPANY 

HIGHLAND  PARK        :  :         LOS  ANGELES 
1917 


•  -•' 


Copyright  1917 
By  HENRY  A.  COIT 

All  rights  retervtd 


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WAR'S  END 


CHARACTERS 

Christian  the  First — King  of  Usurpia. 

Mastercraft — the  Mailed  Chancellor. 

Hulda — a  peasant  woman  of  dawning  intellect. 

Dr.  Marx — physician  to  the  King. 

Otto — Secretary  to  the  King. 

Carl — an  old  soldier  and  husband  to  Hulda. 

PLACE 

The  action  takes  place  at  the  hunting  lodge  of 
King  Christian  in  the  heart  of  the  Dark  Forest — 
the  far  interior  of  Usurpia — a  country  at  war 
with  the  world. 

TIME 

Any  time  in  the  dim  future. 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  PERSONS  OF  PLAY 

King  Christian  the  First  is  a  man  between,  fifty 
and  sixty  years  of  age.  He  is  tall  and  of  military 
bearing.  Black  hair  and  moustache  turning  gray. 
He  is  dressed  in  "fatigue"  uniform  and  riding 
boots.  At  times  he  speaks  with  firmness  and  de- 
cision— at  others  with  a  manner  approaching  dif- 
fidence— he  is  a  man  harrassed  by  uncertainty 
which  shows  in  his  actions  and  especially  in  his 
soliloquies.  At  times  he  is  the  man  in  doubt  and 
fear  and  on  occasion,  although  perhaps  with  an 
effort,  the  King. 

Mastercraft  is  well  along  in  years  but  carries 
his  age  well — is  probably  past  sixty-five  or  even 


372003 


*«>     '«,  -)     >  »  «   4  b     ) 

-V   ,          ",*  .'  <>  >    I 

seventy.  He  is  tall  and  well  proportioned — 
{puck;  'inuscul?r  anxl  active.  He  has  iron  gray 
iidi?  in  abunaanee  and  an  iron  gray  mustache. 
He  speaks  in  a  tone  of  stern  authority.  Is 
dressed  in  conventional  suit  of  traveling  clothes. 

Hulda  is  a  woman  who  would  be  handsome 
were  it  not  for  the  marks  of  suffering  and  priva- 
tion. She  is  between  thirty-five  and  forty  years 
of  age  with  brown  hair  turning  gray.  She  is  of 
large  frame,  but  spare.  Her  clothing  is  old  and 
worn,  showing  the  signs  of  travel — it  is  of  coarse 
homespun  material.  She  speaks  with  indiffer- 
ence and  in  a  rather  dazed  fashion  when  she  first 
appears,  but  this  attitude  both  of  speech  and  ac- 
tion becomes  warm  and  vehement  as  action  pro- 
ceeds. In  the  closing  scene  she  lapses  into  the 
tone  and  attitude  of  the  "mother,"  apparently 
forgetful  of  all  except  the  babe. 

Carl  is  an  old  soldier.  Grizzled  in  the  service, 
being  a  campaigner.  He  is  about  fifty  years  of 
age  with  gray  hair  and  wears  an  army  uniform 
very  badly  worn  and  with  several  patches.  He 
carries  or  wears  a  campaign  hat.  His  height 
is  not  above  five  feet  eight  or  nine  inches  and 
he  inclines  to  be  portly  as  is  evidenced  by  his 
clothes  alone,  which  hang  loosely  upon  him,  as 
he  is  now  thin  and  emaciated  from  want  ap- 
proaching starvation.  He  still  maintains,  how- 
ever, a  military  carriage.  He  wears  an  old  army 
cloak  over  his  shoulders  which  swings  open  in 
front  revealing  his  tattered  uniform.  His  left 
sleeve  is  empty. 

Dr.  Marx  is  the  conventional  type  of  profes- 
sional man  of  fifty  with  black  hair  and  beard 
square  cut.  He  wears  glasses  and  is  dressed  in 
dark  clothes. 

Otto  is  a  slight,  tall  man  of  forty-five  with  dark 
hair,  mustache  and  beard.  He  is  alert,  covertly 
jealous  of  the  Chancellor  though  he  treats  him 
with  deference.  To  the  King  he  is  profoundly 
respectful  in  an  affectionate  and  solicitous 
manner. 


SCENE  I. 

(The  interior  of  the  King's  hunting  lodge.  A 
large  room  finished  in  the  rough  with  logs  but 
elaborately  furnished  and  equipped  with  com- 
forts and  conveniences.  The  floor  coverings  are 
of  the  skins  of  wild  animals  while  the  walls  are 
decorated  with  stuffed  and  mounted  animal 
heads,  such  as  the  heads  of  deer,  elk,  bison,  bear, 
boars,  etc.  A  huge  fireplace  of  stone  is  on  left 
about  the  middle  of  room  over  which  is  a  mantel 
with  handsome  chiming  clock  and  ornaments  in 
bronze  representing  scenes  of  the  chase.  Here 
and  there,  both  hanging  on  the  walls  and  in  gun 
rack  and  standing  in  convenient  corners  are  var- 
ious guns,  small  arms,  army  swords,  etc.  A  large 
couch,  covered  with  a  bear  skin,  is  drawn  up 
near  the  fire  so  that  it  faces  front  of  stage.  On 
the  other  side  is  a  large  oaken  chair  across  which 
is  thrown  another  wild  animal  s_kin.  Between 
this  chair  and  the  front  of  stage  is  an  oak  writ- 
ing table  littered  with  papers,  maps,  books,  writ- 
ing material,  pens,  ink  stand,  etc.  An  art  iron 
reading  lamp  of  large  proportions  is  standing  on 
the  table  burning. 

At  back  of  stage  are  a  pair  of  heavy  curtains 
which  screen  double  French  windows  presumably 
leading  onto  a  porch.  There  are  two  doors  at 
right  and  left  forward  respectively — one  leading 
to  another  part  of  lodge  and  one  a  private  en- 
trance. 

The  room  is  further  furnished  with  several 
oak  chairs  all  of  the  massive  type.  A  fire  burns 
in  the  fireplace. 

Discovered  as  curtain  ascends  the  King  seated 


in  large  chair  in  front  of  fire  gazing  reflectively 
into  it.  It  is  night.  The  light  from  the  fire  and 
reading  lamp  illumine  his  face/ 


KING.  (Soliloquizing)  The  silence  and  un- 
certainly weigh  heavily!  (sighs  deeply  and  moves 
uneasily)  More  terrible  is  uncertainty  than  war's 
alarm!  (shakes  himself  with  impatient  gesture). 
No  news — and  it  grows  late.  (The  clock  on  the 
mantel  chimes  the  hour  of  eleven)  Since  the  hour 
of  seven  has  the  doctor  been  ministering  to  the 
Queen  while  I,  a  King,  am  apparently  forgot — 
even  Otto  has  not  yet  returned,  (pause)  Some- 
times I  fairly  curse  old  Mastercraft — and  yet  I 
could  not  do  without  him.  Otto  was  to  meet 
him  at  the  secret  place  and  come  at  once  to  me. 
(pause — irritated  and  impatiently)  This  wait- 
ing, waiting,  waiting,  tormented  by  lack  of  news 
while  life  and  death  play  hide  and  seek  at  my 
very  elbow,  drives  me  to  distraction.  (Rises  and 
paces  up  and  down  the  length  of  the  room,  paus- 
ing in  front  of  fire  as  sleigh  bells  are  heard  out- 
side.) At  last!  I  feel  his  presence — and  now  that 
he  has  come  I  fear  to  meet  him — such  influence 
has  he  upon  my  person,  (pause  as  sleigh  bells  are 
again  heard.  The  King  draws  himself  up  to  his 
full  height,  assuming  a  military  attitude).  Cour- 
age! Remember  that  you  are  a  King!  (Crosses 
and  exits  door  right.) 

6 


(As  soon  as  the  door  closes  behind  the  KING, 
the  curtains  at  windows  rear  are  cautiously  drawn 
aside  and  CARL  steps  stealthily  from  behind 
them  and  advances  softly,  listening,  to  the  fire 
where  he  pauses,  stretching  his  one  hand  out  to 
its  warmth.) 

CARL.  (Soliloquizing)  How  cold  it  is!  (looks 
at  his  hand)  When  I  look  at  this  one  member, 
now  bound  to  do  a  double  duty,  I  can  but  think 
of  its  lost  mate  left  rotting  on  the  field  at  Mar- 
blegate,  and  it  aids  to  keep  me  firm  in  my  set 
purpose.  (He  looks  toward  door  where  KING 
retired.)  Little  did  you  know  as  you  stepped  out, 
surrounded  by  Imperial  gloom,  how  nearly  you 
had  shaken  hands  with  Death.  (Draws  from  be- 
neath his  army  cloak  a  polished  bayonette  to 
which  he  speaks.)  Ah,  trusty  friend!  who  served 
me  well  in  puncturing  the  vitals  of  the  so-called 
enemy — though  God  knows  they  were  strangers 
and  human  just  like  me — you  have  been  sharp- 
ened and  polished  for  a  worthy  cause  at  last  and 
you  will  not  fail  when  driven  at  the  guts  of  that 
cursed  man  who  calls  himself  a  King  and  close 
allied  with  God.  Those  sons  of  mine  left  buried 
in  an  unknown  trench  with  quicklime  for  a  fun- 
eral shroud,  the  wife  who  brought  them  forth 
and  now  is  wandering  God  knows  where,  or  dead 
— aye!  and  the  sons,  the  ravished  daughters  and 
7 


the  tortured  mothers  of  those  countless  fools, 
blinded  by  this  hollow  dream  of  allegiance  to 
Imperial  cause  regardless  of  humanity — who  suf- 
ferred  and  died  in  order  that  his  race  might  be  per- 
petuated and  his  power  kept  intact!  You  will  be 
avenged  since  old  Carl  at  last  has  wakened  from 
his  sleep.  (Stops  abruptly  to  listtn.)  I  hear  some- 
one astir!  (Turns  to  curtains.)  The  curtains  will 
conceal  me  till  the  proper  time,  and  be  conven- 
ient. (Withdraws  hastily  behind  curtains  rear.) 

(The  door  right  opens  and  the  KING,  fol- 
lowed by  the  CHANCELLOR  and  OTTO, 
enter.  They  all  advance  to  the  fire,  the  CHAN- 
CELLOR and  OTTO  removing  heavy  fur 
coats  and  gloves.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  (to  KING)  What  news,  your 
Majesty!  Have  we  an  heir? 

KING.  No  news  as  yet,  though  since  seven 
o'clock  the  doctor  has  been  engaged  with  the 
Queen.  I  pray  to  God  that  all  is  well,  (hesi- 
tates) What  if  it  should  be  brought  forth  dead? 

MASTERCRAFT.  No  fear  of  that !  The  Queen, 
her  Majesty,  has  been  in  excellent  health  in  spite 
of  all  the  cares  of  State,  and  though  undoubtedly 
anxiety  assailed  her,  there  could  be  nothing  else 
to  disturb  her  here — no  news  to  worry  from  the 
front — no  roar  of  distant  cannon.  It  is  most  con- 
ducive to  a  favorable  accouchment. 

S 


OTTO.  Poor  lady! 

KING.  Go,  Otto,  enquire  you  of  news  of  the 
Queen. 

OTTO.  I  go,  your  Majesty!  (Bows  and  exits 
door  left.) 

KING.  And  now,  my  Chancellor,  what  is  the 
news  you  bring  ?  Have  we  made  gains — 

MASTERCRAFT.  (Interrupting)  Not  now,  your 
Majesty,  I  beg  of  you!  You  seem  unstrung — 
the  news  will  keep. 

KING.  (Impatiently)  Out  with  it  man — I  am 
consumed  with  impatience.  The  truth — and  at 
once — I  can  stand  this  vague  uncertainty  no 
longer. 

MASTERCRAFT.  'Tis  well,  your  Majesty!  To 
be  sure  we  have  not  advanced  as,  perhaps,  you 
might  have  wished, — in  fact  we  have  lost  some 
ground,  but  wholly  unimportant  and  thereby 
have  strengthened  our  position  strategically.  The 
press,  of  course,  under  our  wise  censorship,  con- 
tinues favorable  to  our  ends,  while  the  people  be- 
lieve that  each  engagement  is  a  victory. 

KING.  (Sadly)  I  wish  this  cursed  war  was 
done.  The  press — the  people!  What  of  their 
comment! — All  coached  and  tutored — the  horrid 
facts  concealed — and  you  boast  of  this  dissem- 
bling— this  deceit — as  a  necessary  and  praise- 
worthy function  of  diplomacy!  You  drove  me 
9 


on  and  on,  further  and  further  from  my  better 
instincts,  and  held  me  to  the  vision  of  a  world 
Empire  as  the  only  fit  inheritance  for  the  sons  of 
the  King  of  Usurpia — and  now  those  sons,  in 
answer  to  the  public  clamor  and  your  advice  and 
urgency,  lie  cold  and  unavailing.  Suppose  now 
there  should  be  no  heir — not  even  a  girl — what 
then? 

MASTERCRAET.  (persuasively)  Your  Majesty! 
Do  not  reproach  me.  All  these  matters  have  been 
gone  fully  into  between  us  two  and  now  it  is  too 
late  to  turn.  All  those  nicities  of  State  of  which 
you  would  complain  were  necessary  to  the  fulfill- 
ment of  our  enterprise.  As  to  an  heir — I  fear 
not  in  that  regard.  It  will  be  well.  Permit  me 
to  remind  your  Majesty,  that  I,  the  mailed  Chan- 
cellor, have  never  failed. 

OTTO.  (Entering  door  left)  The  doctor  Marx 
waits  upon  you,  sire!  (OTTO  stands  aside  as 
the  man  of  science  enters.) 

DOCTOR,  (bowing)  Your  Majesty!  it  is  a  son 
and  he  lives! 

KING,    (fervently)    Thank  God! 

DOCTOR.  This  is  a  grave  moment,  your  Majes- 
ty, and,  (bowing  in  direction  of  MASTER- 
CRAFT)  with  your  permission,  I  will  speak 
quite  frankly. 

KING,    (anxiously)    What  now,  man?    Speak 

10 


out !    You  say  he  lives — what  then  ? 

DOCTOR.  He  lives — yes!  but  her  Majesty,  the 
Queen,  may  lose  her  life — and  even  though  she 
recover  she  cannot  nurse  the  bahe  and  without 
its  natural  nourishment  it  cannot  live. 

KING.   What  then? 

DOCTOR.  A  substitute  must  be  found  at  once — 
an  hour  hence  may  be  too  late. 

KING.  (Sinking  into  chair  and  dropping  his 
head  in  his  hands — in  dispair.)  For  naught! 
Ah!  cursed  day  when  I  this  war  declared  which 
hath  deprived  my  Kingdom  of  an  heir! 

MASTERCRAFT.  (Who  has  been  listening  in- 
tently, vehemently  to  OTTO}  Quickly,  Otto, 
without  an  instant's  delay — drive  with  all  speed 
to  the  secret  meeting  place  where  my  high 
powered  car  awaits.  Here,  (writes  hastily  on 
card)  hand  this  to  the  man  in  waiting  there; 
thence  with  all  speed  to  the  field  hospital  and  give 
this  second  note  to  the  surgeon  in  charge  (writes 
on  another  card)  who  will  attend  to  the  rest.  A 
peasant  woman  was  taken  with  birth  pains  on  the 
roadside  as  I  passed  there  today;  fetch  err  here 
— never  mind  her  child  if  indeed  it  still  lives.  Do 
you  understand? 

OTTO.  (Taking  up  coat  and  hat  in  haste)  I 
obey!  (Exits  door  right.) 

DOCTOR.   He  should  be  back  in  time — it  is  the 

11 


best  that  can  be  done,  (to  KING)  Your  Majes- 
ty, all  has  been  done  within  the  bounds  of  human 
possibility — we  can  but  wait — it  depends  upon 
the  Chancellor's  directions  being  carried  out  and, 
— the  compliance  of  the  woman.  (Observes 
the  KING  critically  and  speaks  with  affection.) 
Come,  your  Majesty,  you  have  not  eaten  in 
hours — this  will  not  do — as  your  physician  I  de- 
mand that  you  partake  of  food.  Come!  (Leads 
way  to  door.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  With  your  permission,  your 
Majesty,  I  too,  will  break  fast  and  otherwise  re- 
fresh myself — we  may  converse  at  leisure  whilst 
we  eat. 

KING.  By  all  means — I  presume  you  have  not 
tasted  food  for  hours.  I  will  join  you  at  the 
board. 

(MASTERCRAFT  follows  the  DOCTOR, 
both  bowing,  out  door  right.) 

KING,  (continuing)  Oh  God,  desert  me  not 
lest  all  this  bloodshed  shall  have  been  in  vain. 
(He  straightens  up  with  an  effort,  as  though 
pulling  himself  together.)  Remember  that  you 
are  a  King!  (Exits  door  right.) 

(As  soon  as  the  door  closes  on  the  KING, 
CARL  comes  from  between  curtains  rear  and 
advances  cautiously  to  the  fire.  He  pauses  and 
then  kicks  at  the  logs  in  the  fire  viciously.) 

12 


CARL,  (soliloquizing)  How  different  he  seems 
when  quite  alone — one  would  not  know  he  was 
a  king.  And  then  he  does  not  seem  so  set — more 
like  one  driven  by  stern  necessity,  or  against  his 
will,  (pauses  reflectively.)  So,  his  sons,  too,  are 
lost  to  him,  and  in  this  same  accursed  cause  as 
lost  me  mine.  (Pauses  and  again  kicks  logs.)  The 
Chancellor !  I  do  believe  he  is  the  man — and  yet 
all  we  hear  upon  the  field  is  "The  King."  How 
well  I  remember  at  the  beginning  of  the  war 
when  we  passed  in  review.  He  was  there,  mounted 
on  a  coal  black  stallion.  The  Chancellor  was  by 
his  side — silent  and  austere.  The  King  dressed 
in  full  regalia  with  medals  on  his  breast  until  he 
glistened  in  the  sun  like  a  thousand  diamonds — 
one  could  scarce  look  upon  him  without  being 
blinded.  (Sits  down  in  arm  chair.)  I  may  as 
well  take  it  easy  and  get  warmed  whilst  I  wait- — 
I  am  nigh  chilled  through.  (Sighs  rather  con- 
tentedly as  the  warmth  of  fire  reaches  him.)  Here 
am  I,  old  Carl,  battle  scarred  and  aged,  and  shab- 
by, sitting  at  the  King's  fire — though  uninvited, 
God  knows.  (Pauses  reflectively.)  Well,  well! 
it  is  a  sorry  mess — thousands  just  like  me,  why, 
I  don't  even  know  where  my  wife  Hulda  is.  Our 
little  cottage  which  I  left  all  shining  in  the  sun ; 
the  well  kept  gardens;  the  neatly  painted  fence, 
the  stone  edged  path  leading  to  the  vine  clad 

13 


porch — all  ashes,  ruins — blown  to  the  four  winds. 
The  enemy  we  set  out  to  crush  so  bravely  within 
thirty  days  proved  foemen  more  than  worthy  of 
our  steel  and  turned  the  tables  on  us — they  have 
driven  us  back  trench  by  trench,  burning  and 
sacking  as  did  we  upon  our  mad  advance — paid 
us  off  in  our  own  coin.  (A  noise  is  heard  beyond 
door  right  and  CARL  rises  hastily.)  Someone 
comes!  (Again  draws  out  his  bayonette  and  looks 
at  it  as  if  it  were  a  living  thing.)  No,  not  yet. 
We  will  wait  and  see — maybe  it  will  be  the 
Chancellor.  (Retires  behind  curtains  just  in  time 
to  escape  detection  by  KING  and  DOCTOR 
who  enter  from  door  right  together.) 

KING.  No,  no !  good  Doctor !  It  is  no  use — I 
cannot  eat;  no  morsel  tempts  me  and  what  little 
I  do  force  myself  to  taste  turns  gall.  We  will 
wait  here  for  Mastercraft.  Mastercraft!  I 
would  I  had  his  appetite.  Nothing  seems  to  up- 
set his  mode  of  life.  He  will  eat  his  fill,  I  ven- 
ture, with  as  much  relish  as  he  used  to  dine  when 
all  was  peace  and  we  did  but  plot. 

DOCTOR.  I  trust  you  will  permit,  your  Majesty, 
that  I  now  attend  the  Queen.  Mastercraft  will 
join  you  shortly  and  your  good  Otto  will  return 
ere  long — he  had  not  very  far  to  go.  It  is  most 
fortunate  we  are  so  near  a  hospital ;  there  is  not 
another  within  miles  of  that  retreat.  The  peas- 

14 


ant  woman's  loss  may  prove  to  be  our  gain. 

KING.    Go,   good   Doctor!    Mastercraft  has 
thought  of  everything. 

DOCTOR.  Your  Majesty!  (Bows  and  exits.) 
KING.  (Paces  up  and  down  the  length  of  room, 
pausing  now  and  then  as  he  soliloquizes.)  I 
know  why  old  Mastercraft  insisted  that  I  seek 
seclusion  in  this  far  retreat — he  feared  I  would 
relent.  After  all,  who  is  it  that  is  King?  He 
seems  to  dominate  me  even  in  my  private  life. 
I  think  he  laid  a  special  stress  tonight  upon  the 
efficiency  of  those  factories  which  build  our  en- 
gines of  destruction,  and  in  the  same  breath  he 
asked,  nay,  demanded, — further  appropriations 
from  our  depleted  purse  for  their  maintenance. 
— Otto  told  me  years  ago  that  he,  the  cunning 
diplomat,  had  invested  in  those  same  factories 
from  his  private  funds  and  now  I  undertsand  he 
owns  them  all,  while  we  support  them,  (pause) 
And  yet  I  love  the  man,  even  while  fearing  and 
distrusting  him.  (There  is  a  flutter  and  slight 
noise  behind  the  curtains.  The  KING  turns 
quickly  toward  them)  Is  someone  there! — No! 
it  is  but  my  imagination — excited  from  my  high 
wrought  nerves.  Even  here,  my  whereabouts 
kept  a  secret,  I  fear  and  live  in  dread,  my  nerves 
on  edge  until  each  noise  and  breath  of  air  are 
multiplied  and  seem  to  bode  for  ill. 

15 


(MASTERCRAFT  enters  door  right  smok- 
ing large  black  cigar.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  (to  King)  I  dined  quite  hear- 
tily and  now  am  fit  for  further  efforts. 

KING,  (taking  seat  before  fire)  I  cannot  un- 
derstand, my  Chancellor,  how  through  all  these 
long  and  weary  months — since  we  began  to  fail — 
you  have  maintained  your  even  poise.  I  admit 
to  you,  my  friend,  that  I  am  all  unstrung. 

MASTERCRAFT.  (who  stands  before  fire)  Par- 
don, your  Majesty!  We  do  not  fail — and  can- 
not. You  may  rest  in  prime  security  while  I  am 
spokesman  and  it  need  not  be  ever  known  that 
there  ever  seemed  a  doubt. 

KING.  But,  I  fear  you  do  not  tell  me  all — I 
do  not  know  the  worst. 

MASTERCRAFT.  The  worst,  your  Majesty,  is 
that  your  Highness  fears!  We  have,  as  might 
well  be  expected,  met  with  some  reverses,  but  they 
are  not  really  serious,  and  while  the  enemy  appear 
to  gain,  they  do  in  fact  but  draw  nearer  to  our 
trap.  All  goes  well!  The  munition  plants  are 
running  night  and  day,  full  handed — and  the  men 
on  but  half  pay; — our  hospital  service  is  the  best 
it  ever  has  been ;  the  food  supply,  while  scant,  is 
not  exhausted  and  we  have  some  plans  that  soon, 
we  hope,  will  fill  our  granaries ;  the  people,  a  little 
restive,  perhaps,  realize  the  necessities  of  war  and 

16 


have  become  enured  to  what  at  first  seemed  hard- 
ship. Next  month  we  make  our  master  stroke 
and  then  our  enemies  will  gladly  sue  for  peace 
upon  our  terms — insuring  the  fulfillment  and 
success  of  all  our  dreams  and  planning. 

KING.  But  in  the  meantime  thousands  starve— 
the  women  and  the  little  ones,  while  I — 

MASTERCRAFT.  Pardon,  your  Majesty!  but  as 
you  yourself  have  just  now  said,  you  are  unstrung. 
Now  we  may  not  turn  to  blame  ourselves  where 
no  blame  is  due — this  war  was  thrust  upon  us, 
that  is,  it  was  necessary  for  the  future  of  our 
State  and  is  no  more  than  that  for  which  we 
planned.  Wars  bring  death  and  suffering — it  al- 
ways has  been  so  and  our  purpose  warrants  all  it 
costs.  And  now  it  will  soon  end,  and  in  our  favor. 

KING*  But  thousands  more  will  starve  and  die 
on  battlefields  meanwhile — it  has  cost  too  much 
already. 

MASTERCRAFT.  It  is  for  the  Empire  and — the 
King. 

KING.  Aye!  the  king  without  a  throne — in 
hiding  for  fear  of  what?  my  friend!  Wouldst 
guard  me  against  the  dangers  of  the  front,  or 
from  the  news,  or  from  my  people — those  for 
whom  I  dreamed — or  from  myself  lest,  knowing 
all,  I  weaken  and  thus  fail  you? 

MASTERCRAFT.   Your  Majesty  mistakes — it  is 

17 


none  of  those  dangers  which  you  but  surmise,  but 
lest— 

KING,  (rises  with  a  hasty  and  impatient  ges- 
ture; draws  himself  to  his  full  height  and  speaks 
with  hauteur)  No  more  of  this  quibbling!  I  will 
talk  no  more  on  this  unpleasant  subject — remem- 
ber, I  am  King. 

(The  door  right  opens  and  OTTO  enters.) 

OTTO,  (bowing)  Your  Majesty,  the  woman 
waits,  though  she  seemed  so  loath  to  come  I  was 
obliged  to  go  further  than  mere  urging.  Shall  I 
lead  her  to  your  presence? 

KING.  Go  bring  the  doctor  to  us,  if  he  can  be 
spared. 

OTTO.  Your  Majesty!    (exits,  bowing.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  It  will  be  well,  your  Majesty ! 

KING,  (to  MASTERCRAFT)  Do  you  re- 
main, together  with  the  doctor,  when  she  comes. 
The  doctor  will  tell  her  of  her  duties — I  of  their 
importance. 

(The  door  opens  and  OTTO  ushers  in  the 
DOCTOR  and  stands  waiting  at  attention  by 
the  door.) 

OTTO.  Your  Majesty!    the  doctor  Marx ! 

MARX.  I  understand  the  woman  has  been 
fetched,  your  Majesty!  *Tis  none  too  soon,  if 
soon  enough. 

18 


OTTO.  She  is  without,  Dr.  Marx,  will  you  see 
her  here? 

KING.   Bring  her  at  once. 

(OTTO  bows  and  withdraws  while  all  stand 
in  silence  with  their  faces  turned  expectantly 
toward  the  door.  OTTO  returns  in  a  moment 
and  stands  aside  as  HULDA  enters  and  takes 
her  stand  just  within  the  threshold,  surveying  the 
group  at  the  fire.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  Just  step  this  way,  woman ! 

DOCTOR,  (moving  a  chair  near  the  fire  and  ad- 
dressing the  KING— -HULDA  ignoring  MAS- 
TERCRAFT) She  had  best  be  seated  to  con- 
serve her  strength. 

KING,  (kindly,  to  HULDA)  Sit  here,  good 
woman,  by  Jjhe  fire.  Dr.  Marx  has  something  to 
say  to  you — please  give  strict  heed. 

HULDA.  (She  speaks  with  no  show  of  fear, 
disrespect  or  embarrassment — merely  indifferently 
and  as  though  somewhat  dazed.  When  she  enters, 
the  curtains  in  rear  move  violently  and  Carl  steps 
out,  but  as  all  backs  are  at  the  moment  turned  in 
his  direction,  he  is  unobserved.  He  catches  him- 
self, smothers  an  exclamation  and  hastily  retires 
again  behind  curtains.)  I  will  stand,  if  you 
please ! 

KING.   As  you  like! 

DOCTOR,  (to  HULDA)  Of  necessity  I  must 
19 


be  brief,  so  please  pay  strict  attention  to  what  I 
have  to  say.  Your  countenance  betrays  that  you 
are  already  aware  that  you  stand  in  the  presence 
of  the  King  and  Mastercraft,  his  Chancellor.  I 
am  the  physician  to  the  King,  (pause)  We  sent 
for  you  to  nurse  a  new  born  babe — that  it  should 
be  so  is  of  utmost  importance  to  the  crown.  Every 
comfort  will  be  provided  you.  I  understand  a 
babe  was  born  to  you  but  a  few  hours  since — are 
you  prepared  to  undertake  this  task  ? 

HULDA.  My  babe ! — yes,  I  had  a  babe — a  man- 
child — a  blossom  for  jrour  cannon,  but  I  had  it 
not  for  long.  It  died  from  exposure  where  we 
lay  upon  the  roadside  in  the  snow. 

DOCTOR.  Alas!  my  good  woman,  such  has  been 
the  fate  of  many — but  sacrificed  to  our  common 
country's  necessities.  This  babe  will  bring  you 
comfort. 

HULDA.  Whose  is  the  babe  ? 

MASTERCRAFT.  (who  has  been  listening  intent- 
ly) What  matters  that?  It  interests  the  State 
and — it  is  your  King's  command. 

HULDA.  I  know  no  more  commands  but  those 
of  this  poor  heart.  Whose  is  the  child,  if  you 
would  have  my  answer  ? 

KING.  We  have  not  time  to  waste  in  argu- 
ment! (to  HULDA)  Do  you  mean,  good 
mother,  you  would  not  obey  your  King  if  it  were 

20 


his  command  you  nurse  this  babe  unless  we  give 
you  knowledge  of  its  birth  ? 

HULDA.  Just  so — even  though  it  were  the 
King's  command. 

KING.  Know  it  at  once  then.  It  is  the  heir  to 
the  throne  of  Usurpia  whom  you  shall  suckle  at 
those  peasant  breasts. 

HULDA.  Can  it  be  true — before  God  I  ask  you? 

KINO.  Do  you  question  your  King?  Time 
passes — I  speak  the  truth, — before  God ! 

HULDA.  Then,  thou  King  of  Usurpia,  an- 
swer me,  a  peasant  by  the  grace  of  God  and  King 
— where  are  my  two  sons,  my  babe,  my  husband  ? 

MASTERCRAFT.  (sternly)  Woman,  knowest 
thou  that  men  have  been  condemned  to  death  for 
less  impertinence  than  thou  hast  shown  your 
King?  Be  quick \(to  DOCTOR)  Give  her  your 
instructions  and  lead  her  to  the  task  at  once. 

DOCTOR.  Not  so  fast — this,  by  its  nature,  must 
be  a  voluntary  undertaking,  (to  HULDA) 
Come,  good  woman — don't  talk  nonsense.  It  is 
a  great  honor  that  has  been  thrust  upon  you. 

HULDA.  (to  DOCTOR)  Is  it  a  fact  that  this 
babe's  life  depends  upon  my  nursing  it,  as  the 
man  who  brought  me  here  against  my  will  pre- 
tends, and  no  other  wet  nurse  nigh? 

DOCTOR.  It  is  a  solemn  fact. 

HULDA.  Then  doubly  I  say  no!  Even  though 

21 


I  knew  'twere  certain  death  to  it  within  the  hour ! 
My  babe  perished  for  want  of  common  covering 
though  these  full  breasts  were  wont  to  burst,  and 
this  poor,  aching  heart  as  well  from  the  desire  to 
feed  my  little  one. 

KING,  (to  HULDA — vehemently)  You  can- 
not know  what  you  say!  (to  DOCTOR)  Is 
she  in  delerium? 

DOCTOR.  No  signs  of  that,  your  Majesty.  You 
must  reason  with  her. 

KING,  (to  HULDA)  Then  listen!  You  com- 
plain of  what  this  war  has  cost  you  in  common 
with  the  thousands  of  other  sufferers.  Think 
you  that  your  King  has  quite  escaped?  I  have 
lost  my  sons  as  well  as  you — our  Empire  lacks 
an  heir  should  this  babe  die,  and  then  would  the 
Usurpian  dream  fall  like  powdered  snow  upon 
the  waste — scattered  to  the  winds.  We  fight 
but  for  a  principle,  and  each  in  one  grand  com- 
mon cause  has  strived  to  bear  his  burden;  my 
family,  my  home,  no  less  than  all  the  rest.  A  babe 
is  born — a  son — to  glorify  the  name  and  extend 
the  Empire  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  thousands 
yet  unborn  and  you  have  been  ordained  of  God 
to  nurture  it  and  continue  through  your  humble 
person  that  to  which  the  King  gave  life.  It  is 
enough ! 

MASTERCRAFT.    (to  HULDA)    Besides,  the 

22 


reward  will  be  rich — commensurate  with  the  im- 
portance of  the  task. 

HULDA.  Where  is  my  own  babe?  Can  you 
return  it  to  me  ?  My  sons !  My  husband !  where 
are  they?  I  gave  them  all  to  this  cruel  war,  the 
purposes  of  which  I  do  not  even  know,  nor  do  I 
care,  but  if  that  babe  of  yours  should  through  me 
grow  up  to  be  a  man  and  foster  this  same  scheme 
of  things,  I  would  be  cursed  and  not  ordained  of 
God. 

KING,  (sternly)  Remember!  I  am  your  King 
and  I  command! 

DOCTOR.  Time  presses. 

HULDA.  I  will  none  of  you!  Do  with  me 
what  e'er  you  like,  but  for  aught  of  me  your  babe 
may  go  to  join  my  own. 

MASTERCRAFT.  Would  you  have  your  sorrows 
and  our  losses  made  in  vain  ?  Can  you  not  under- 
stand that  it  is  Usurpia — your  Country — that 
commands  of  you  this  service  ?  Are  you  in  your 
senses  and  awake? 

HULDA.  Awake  indeed!  Though  for  years 
I  did  but  dream.  I  moved  with  restlessness  in 
that  dream  when  my  two  sons,  my  first  born, 
were  torn  from  my  side;  when  my  good  man, 
their  father  and  the  father  of  my  babe,  had  been 
lost  to  me  I  raised  my  head  and  opened  wide  my 
eyes,  and  when  my  babe,  the  last  of  all  my  earthly 

23 


ties  folded  his  little  arms  in  death  as  he  lay 
quiet  on  this  breast,  I  fully  woke — and  now  I  see 
the  horror  of  it  all,  the  uselessness,  the  cruelty, 
the  hell-hole  you  have  made  of  this  fair  land — 
and  now  of  me,  awake  and  staring  horror-stricken, 
you  would  ask  I  lend  of  my  own  substance  to 
enable  you  to  perpetuate  the  crime.  No !  a  thou- 
sand times — not  though  all  Usurpia  should  per- 
ish— it  were  better  so,  and  quickly,  than  this  out- 
rageous war  continue  to  satisfy  your  own  ambi- 
tion. Let  me  go,  or  cast  me  out,  but  don't  pro- 
fane my  motherhood ! 

KING,  (to  DOCTOR)  Can  nothing  be  done 
— she  seems  beside  herself? 

OTTO,  (entering  unceremoniously)  Oh,  Doc- 
tor Marx,  hasten — the  nurse  is  urgent. 

DOCTOR,  (to  KING)  Your  Majesty  must  per- 
suade her  —  it  is  the  only  course.  (Follows 
OTTO  out  door  right  hastily.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  (to  HULDA)  Think,  wo- 
man, of  the  alternative! 

HULDA.  What  do  you  mean  by  that — but  I 
care  not. 

MASTERCRAFT.   The  King  will  answer. 

KING,  (to  MASTERCRAFT)  This  is  in- 
deed the  battlefield — Ah !  God,  that  I  should  have 
been  spared  to  suffer  such  unutterable  anguish! 
(to  HULDA)  Think  again,  woman!  The 

24 


Queen  is  a  woman,  too,  with  all  the  mother  in- 
stinct like  yourself — her  sons,  like  yours,  were 
sacrificed  to  Usurpia.  Will  you  do  less  than  will 
your  Queen?  Have  you  no  pity  on  her  mother- 
heart? 

HULDA.  A  woman!  She !  and  mother !  Ugh! 
used  for  breeding  purposes  to  supply  God's  land 
with  slave-drivers! 

MASTERCRAFT.  (in  great  anger)  Hold  woman! 
Would  you  insult  the  King?  I  will — 

KING,  (to  MASTERCRAFT)  Not  so  fast— 
I  still  am  King,  and  this  is  my  affair — no  threats 
avail,  nor  blustering  methods,  (to  HULDA) 
Come,  I  do  not  doubt  you  suffer  much — and  so 
do  we  all,  all  suffer  that  this  righteous  war  may 
end  in  glory  to  our  arms  and  Empire! 

HULDA.  What  matter  whose  the  glory — so  it 
end?  (pauses — thinking)  So  that  it  end, — but 
when — that  is  the  question?  Maybe  the  King 
can  answer  that  ? 

KING.   God  knows!   God  knows! 

HULDA.  And  could  you,  the  King,  end  the  war 
by  word  or  written  sign  ? 

KING.  Aye !  but  at  the  loss  of  all  we  have  these 
long  years  striven  for. 

HULDA.  (seriously  and  persistently)  But 
could  you  bring  it  to  an  end  if  you  so  willed — at 
once? 

25 


KING.  What  are  you  seeking,  woman,  answer  ? 
You  put  a  question  that  I  have  heard  asked  by  m$ 
inmost  soul — and  it  has  tortured  me,  yet  I  have 
answered  it  not. 

MASTERCRAFT.  (to  KING)  I  plainly  see,  your 
Majesty,  that  you  would  temporize  with  this  low 
woman.  At  all  events,  God's  will  be  done — a 
death's  a  death,  and  it  is  the  glory  of  our  arms 
and  the  advancement  of  all  our  arts  and  sciences 
to  all  the  world  for  which  we  fight  as  well  as  for 
a  crown. 

HULDA.  (ignoring  MASTERCRAFT)  And 
is  this  power  with  you  alone? 

KING.   My  word  is  law. 

HULDA.  (advancing  and  speaking  with  great 
force  and  conviction)  Then  may  your  babe  be 
saved ! 

KING,    (anxiously)    Do  you  relent? 

MASTERCRAFT.    (frowning)    How  so? 

HULDA.  The  peasant  woman  will  make  terms 
— aye,  even  with  a  King,  (to  KING)  Send  forth 
your  messengers  with  word  to  stop  this  bloody 
war — recall  your  arms — at  once,  even  though  it 
may  be  the  ruin  of  your  cause,  and  no  babe  ever 
born  of  woman  will  be  nurtured  with  more  care. 

CARL  steps  boldly  out  from  behind  curtains 
and  advances  to  group.  When  he  is  within  a  few 
paces  of  them  he  is  noticed.) 

26 


KING.  What  means  this  intrusion.   Sirrah! 

HULDA.  (staring  as  if  she  cannot  believe  her 
eyes)  My  Carl !  Thank  God,  it  is  my  Carl — and 
still  alive !  (she  advances  to  Carl  and  throws  her 
arms  around  him;  they  embrace)  Thank  God! 

MASTERCRAFT.  (in  rage)  Indeed,  what  means 
this?  Who  are  you  that  thus  intrude  upon  our 
privacy  ? 

KING.  He  must  have  come  in  at  yonder  win- 
dow— I  thought  I  heard  some  movement  there 
earlier  this  evening. 

CARL,  (to  HULDA)  Yes,  safe  and  just  in 
time!  (to  KING  and  MASTERCRAFT  after 
disengaging  himself  from  Hulda's  embrace)  Aye! 
I  have  been  here  long  enough  to  know  which  way 
the  wind  blows.  An  old  soldier,  I — that  is, 
what's  left  of  me — and  I  came  unbidden. 

KING.  Scoundrel!  Have  we  traitors  here? 
Who  gave  you  admittance — speak  or  'twill  be  the 
worse  for  you. 

CARL.  I  will  speak  that  you  may  know  had  it 
not  been  for  Hulda,  there,  of  whom  you  have 
sore  need,  little  cause  would  you  have  had  to 
worry  about  an  heir.  That  is  plain  enough.  Hid- 
den though  you  be,  I  found  you  out.  As  to  the 
rest,  what  does  it  matter?  I  am  here  and  know 
the  business  you  are  at  and  maybe  I  can  take  your 

27 


message  to  the  Minister  of  War — old  Carl  knows 
the  way  fast  enough. 

MASTERCRAFT.  What  do  you  know — speak! 
Whence  did  you  come  and  why  ?  The  King  com- 
mands you. 

CARL.  It  is  too  late  to  prate  of  King's  com- 
mands— I  think  the  King  just  now  is  needy  sore 
of  aid,  as  is  your  sorry  army,  already  mutinous 
though  held  in  check  through  fear  and  supersti- 
tion. Not  so,  old  Carl,  who  fears  not  God  nor 
man,  nor  King — (looking  directly  and  defiantly 
at  MASTERCRAFT)  Aye!  nor  Chancellor. 

KING.  We  have  no  time  for  parley — since  he 
is  here  and  in  the  secret  let  him  stay  and,  as  he 
says,  maybe  he  can  serve.  God  knows  we  need 
service  now  since  you,  (sternly  to  MASTER- 
CRAFT)  sir,  have  deprived  me  of  my  custo- 
mary guards  through  fear  my  hiding  place  should 
become  known — I  believe  that  was  your  excuse. 

HULDA.  (to  CARL)  Did  you  hear,  my  Carl, 
the  matter  we  discussed  and  my  proposal  ? 

CARL.    I  did,  and  right  heartily  I  approve. 

KING,  (to  HULDA)  Are  those  your  only 
terms,  my  woman — quickly  ? 

DOCTOR,  (entering  door  right)  There  is  no 
time  to  lose,  your  Majesty.  I  hope  you  have  bent 
this  woman  to  your  will — the  future  of  the  Em- 
pire now  depends  upon  it. 

28 


MASTERCRAFT.  Not  so,  Doctor  Marx.  The 
future  of  the  Empire,  heir  or  no  heir,  will  be 
safe  and  we  will  have  no  compromise. 

DOCTOR.  It  is  life  and  death  which  we  con- 
sider now.  Your  decision,  woman,  must  be 
prompt  or  it  will  matter  not  at  all. 

HULDA.  I  named  my  terms — the  Chancellor 
objects.  I  am  ready  only  on  those  terms. 

KING.  I  am  sick,  and  now  that  an  opportunity 
is  offered — with  the  matter  brought  home — I  am 
not  unfriendly  to  a  proposal  this  good  woman 
makes.  Woman,  I  accept  your  terms — the  life 
of  my  son  and  heir  fostered  through  you,  for 
withdrawal  of  the  troops  and  this  war's  end. 

MASTERCRAFT.  (raging)  I  will  not  have  it 
so.  Remember,  please,  your  Majesty,  who  is 
together  with  yourself  responsible.  Would  you 
go  forth  into  the  world  again  beaten,  whipped, 
despised, — all  your  vaunted  boasting  shown  but 
a  bubble  to  be  burst  at  the  first  squalling  of  an  in- 
fant! Are  you  the  man  who  calls  himself  a 
King  and  thus  lay  down  your  arms  to  a  lowly, 
vagrant  peasant  woman  who— 

KING,  (angrily)  Enough!  You  are  responsi- 
ble— you  misled  me  from  the  very  start, — I  now 
believe  to  gain  your  selfish  ends — out  of  my  sight ! 
After  all,  I  still  am  King.  (Points  the  way  to  the 
door.) 

29 


MASTERCRAFT.  (turning  to  door)  Half-wit, 
weakling — you  do  not  think  I  will  permit  such 
sickly  surrender!  I  will  put  a  stop  to  any  such 
childish  scheme  long  before  you  can  make  up 
your  mind — I — (moving  to  the  door.) 

CARL,  (drawing  bayonette  steps  quickly  be- 
tween MASTERCRAFT  and  door)  Not  so 
fast,  my  Chancellor !  The  game  is  not  played  out 
until  the  last  card  is  thrown  on  the  table — you 
have  old  Carl  to  reckon  with.  I  think  I  will  re- 
quest you  to  remain  right  here  until  the  orders 
are  safe  delivered  to  the  Minister  of  War. 

(MASTERCRAFT  hesitates,  takes  step  to- 
ward door  as  though  to  pass  CARL  but 
CARUS  determination  is  evident  and  MAS- 
TERCRAFT stops.) 

MASTERCRAFT.  Has  the  Empire  gone  crazy? 
(sneering)  We  will  see  who  has  the  last  card. 
( Takes  seat  nonchalantly  by  fire.  Takes  out  large 
black  cigar  which  he  lights  from  a  jeweled  match- 
box.) 

DOCTOR.  Pardon  me,  your  Majesty,  but  my  in- 
terests revolve  around  Life  and  Death.  You  must 
hasten.  While  you  argue,  the  Heir — your  son — 
totters  on  the  brink. 

(  The  KING,  with  the  bearing  of  a  man  who 
has  firmly  made  up  his  mind,  steps  quickly  to  the 
door  where  he  pulls  an  old-fashioned  bell  pull, 

30 


then  takes  seat  at  table  and  providing  himself 
with  paper  he  takes  up  pen  and  writes  hurriedly. 
As  the  KING  finishes  writing  OTTO  enters 
door  right  and  stands  at  attention.} 

KING,  (rising — to  OTTO)  Take  this  note  at 
once — all  possible  haste — and  deliver  it  in  person 
to  the  Minister  of  War! 

OTTO.     I  understand,  your  Majesty! 

MASTERCRAFT.  (rising — to  OTTO)  I  would 
have  a  word  with  you  before  (takes  a  step  toward 
doort  but  CARL  with  the  drawn  bayonette  still 
in  his  hand  steps  in  front  of  him)  — 

KING,  (interrupting — to  OTTO)  I  forbid 
you  converse  with  the  Chancellor,  or  anyone  un- 
til my  command  has  been  fulfilled. 

OTTO.  I  understand,  your  Majesty!  (takes 
paper  handed  him  by  KING  and  places  it  se- 
curely within  his  inmost  pocket  and  turns  to  door) . 

CARL.  Hold !  not  so  fast — let's  see  there  is  no 
trick — no — 

KING,  (drawing  himself  up  haughtily)  You 
have  my  word — the  promise  of  a  King. 

CARL,  (looking  steadfastly  at  KING)  It  is 
enough,  your  Majesty!  (bows  profoundly). 

KING,  (to  OTTO)  Begone!— all  possible 
haste. 

OTTO.  I  obey,  your  Majesty!    (exits  door  right 
followed  by  DOCTOR). 
31 


KING,  (to  HULDA)  The  mother  is  victorious. 

MASTERCRAFT.      Fools ! 

(The  DOCTOR  enters  door  right  holding  an 
infant  wrapped  in  swaddling  clothes  in  his  arms. 
He  advances  to  HULDA  and  places  it  gently  on 
her  breast — she  snuggles  it  to  her.) 

DOCTOR,  (to  HULDA)  The  future  of  the 
Empire  rests  with  you! 

HULDA.  (Ignoring  everybody  and  holding  the 
infant  closely)  The  darling!  (She  begins  croon- 
ing to  it.) 

KING.  (Advancing  to  HULDA'S  side  gazes 
intently  down  at  the  infant,  then  with  his  hands 
clasped  across  his  breast  he  turns  his  eyes  heaven- 
ward) At  last,  Oh  God,  have  I  made  withThee 
a  true  alliance. 

MASTERCRAFT.  (from  chair  where  he  sits  sneer- 
ing and  glowering  while  CARL  stands  guard  be- 
side him)  Fools! 

(HULDA  begins  undoing  front  of  dress  pre- 
paratory to  nursing  the  infant.  She  takes  the  chair 
before  the  fire  just  vacated  by  the  KING.  The 
DOCTOR  stands  aside  watching  HULDA  and 
the  babe  with  a  professional  eye.) 

CARL,  (looks  happily  down  at  HULDA  as 
she  draws  the  babe  still  closer  to  her  breast — to 
HULDA )  You  sit  now  in  a  King's  place. 

(CURTAIN) 


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